Lock fastener



JanLIO, 1956 w. E. ATKINSON 2,730,390

LOCK FASTENER Filed April 8, 1955 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

I have eliminated with my invention.

United States Patent LOCK FASTENER Wallace E. Atkinson, Dinwiddie County, Va., assignor to Long Manufacturing Co., Inc., Petersburg, Va., a corporation of Virginia Application April 8, 1953, Serial No. 347,582

Claims. (Cl. 292-145) My invention relates to an improvement in locks for bags, cases, trunks and the like.

More particularly, my invention relates to an operating button which may be so connected to the lock structure by the spacial relationship of the respective elements as to obviate the necessity for any mechanical attachment to the plunger.

In the manufacture of suitcase locks and the like, it has heretofore been the practice to include an operating or finger button slidably disposed on the outside of the escutcheon plate. This button is usually provided with depending cars which pass through an aperture in the escutcheon plate and are inserted in fitted registering apertures in the plunger, the plunger lying directly under, and parallel to, the plate. In order to fix the button to the locking structure, it has been customary to peen, clinch, upset or otherwise displace the ends of the ears on the bottom or underside of the plunger.

This technique has many inherent disadvantages which The displacement of the ears is, of necessity, an added step in the assembly of the locks and requires special tools, added handling and added waste from machinery malfunctions and handling losses. Such an upsetting operation often necessitates access holes in the casing, the production of which also results in the inefliciencies and wastes outlined above.

It has been observed that upsetting of the ears also puts strain on the button itself, leaving unsightly indentations on the side of the button at the points directly above the ears, giving a rough and unfinished appearance even to carefully preformed and machined buttons. At times, the buttons are actually torn by these stresses, especially when the buttons are stamped of light gage material. Therefore, it can be readily seen that the conventional technique results in many rejections and much repeated handling.

It has also been observed that this method of securing operating buttons to the lock structure does not give adequate mechanical attachment. Suitcases and bags often receive rough treatment and the upset ears cannot withstand the sustained external forces and are frequently knocked off and lost. As this type attachment is i11- herently weak, the button may be easily removed giving access to the interior of the lock structure. As it is a simple matter to pick the exposed lock structure, a weak button negates the entire purpose and function of the lock.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a lock fastener with an operating button secured to the lock structure by the spacial relationship of the elements.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a lock fastener in which the operating button is in slip type engagement with the plunger.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a lock fastener in which the necessity for mechanically attaching the operating button to the lock is eliminated.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a lock in which the operating button may be stamped "ice of sheet material and yet have the enhanced appearance of the more expensive solid buttons.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a stamped operating button which is extremely sturdy and which is not easily displaced from the lock structure.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description, throughout which reference is made to the following drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front plan view showing a segment of the bag and illustrating the application of my invention thereto.

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a plan of the escutcheon plate viewed from its underside with the lock casing shown in phantom.

Figure 4 is a collective view in perspective of the several parts of the lock fastener prior to assemblage.

Figure 5 is a detailed plan and elevation of the operating button, and

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a modified form of the operating button.

In Figure 1 of the drawing, a case is indicated, the body of the main portion being designated 19 and the cover or top portion being 11.

The lock fastener, attached to the main portion 10 consists of a shaped escutcheon plate 12, having a top surface 14 and a bottom surface 16. A circurnjacent flange 18 flares slightly outwardly from both sides and ends of plate 12, the edges of the flange 18 resting on the case 10, the escutcheon plate being secured thereto by rivets 20.

The escutcheon plate 12 is provided with an opening 22 with one edge curved to fit a hereinafter mentioned operating button 34. Plate 12 also is provided with a lock key slot 24 and another aperture 26. The last mentioned opening is formed with depending split side walls 28, the splits making separate elements capable of being individually displaced, the tongues 30 being representative.

Slidably disposed on the top 14 of the escutcheon plate is an operating button 34, pressed from sheet material, with a top 36 and side walls 38. A portion 40 of the side wall is extended below the edge of the remaining side wall and passes through the aperture 22. The free end of portion 40 is formed with an offset flange 50 projecting outwardly therefrom in a plane substantially normal thereto and lying parallel to, and in sliding contact with, the escutcheon plate 12. Depending from the flange 50 are lugs or pins 52 located in registry with hereinafter mentioned apertures 68 in the plunger 66.

Suspended from the escutcheon plate 12 is a lock casing 54 having a front wall 56 and a rear Wall 58. A portion of the rear wall 58 of the casing is extended and formed as a rearwardly directed flange 6t), lying in a plane substantially normal to wall 58, the extended portion passing through the aperture 22 of escutcheon plate 12 and the underside of the flange 60 resting on the top 14 of plate 12. Two portions of the front wall 56 of the casing are extended and formed as forwardly directed flanges 62 lying in a plane substantially normal to the front wall 56, and resting against the bottom surface 16 of plate 12. These flanges straddle the depending side walls 23 of aperture 26 and are secured to plate 12 by the displacement of the side wall tongues 30.

Slidably disposed within the casing 54 is a plunger 66 lying in a plane parallel to the escutcheon plate 12 and the button flange 50, and in close relationship with the latter. The plunger is provided with apertures 68 which are in registry with lugs 52, the lugs being inserted into and passing through these apertures in slip type engagement. By slip type engagement I mean that the depending lugs are disposed within and are enclosed by the apertures Without any positive detent means to so hold them. Rather, the lugs are held in their position of operative engagement with the plunger by the close relationship of the plunger 66, flange i}, and escutcheon plate 12, as assembled. The lug will remain in slip type engagement with the apertures 68 as long as the parts are so assembled and cannot become disengaged except upon the removal and dismantling of the lock. Thus, the plunger may be manipulated or positioned by movement of the operating button 34. The plunger is also provided with an aperture 69 which admits the key to the locking means.

The tip 70 of the plunger 66 extends beyond the front wall 56 of the casing when the plunger is forwardly positioned and is withdrawn into the casing when the plunger is rearwardly positioned. The plunger is forwardly urged by a spring means and may be secured in its forward position by a key lock mechanism, generally designated at 72, not a part of this invention. The plunger tip 70 is in registry with the catch 74 of the hasp 76 when the latter is in the locking or closed position.

The lock fastener is easily assembled by hand or with conventional tools and eliminates the need for some special machinery heretofore required.

Flange is inserted through the aperture 22 and positioned close to the bottom 16 of the escutcheon plate 12, the button thereby being positioned close to the top 14. The button is held in its forwardmost position as the easing 54, containing the forwardly pressed plunger 66 and the key lock mechanism 72, is attached to the escutcheon plate 12. The latter step is easily accomplished by insertin the flange 60 through the aperture 22, positioning its underside against the top 14 of the escutcheon plate 12, and swinging the casing 54 into close relationship with the escutcheon plate, the lugs 52 and the apertures 68 being in registry. When the casing is so positioned, with the flanges 62 straddling the depending side walls 28, the tongues 38 may be clinched over the flanges, firmly securing the casing to the escutcheon plate 12.

As shown in Figure 2, the button-flange element 344fi50 is slidably held to the assemblage by positioning the flange St) between the plate 12 and the plunger 66, and cannot be easily removed by external forces.

The lugs 52 are held entirely within apertures 68 of the plunger 66 by the spacial relationship of the elements and the button 34 is constantly in operative engagement with the plunger 66. As it is unnecessary to displace or clinch the lugs 52, there is no possibility of straining or breaking the button during assemblage.

In Figure 6 is shown a modified form of the invention. A button 162 is joined by shank 1%, extending downwardly from the bottom of the button, with a planar surface 166. The shank passes through the aperture 22 of the escutcheon plate 12, with the planar surface lying parallel to the escutcheon plate in a manner similar to the button-flange element 344050 of the preferred form. Depending from the planar element 106 are the pins 108, positioned to extend into apertures 68 of the plunger in slip type engagement, as outlined above, rendering the button 106 in operative engagement with the plunger 66.

Having described only typical preferred forms of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the following claims.

i claim:

1. The combination in a lock structure comprising an escutcheon plate provided with an aperture therethrough, a plunger element, an operating button device including a surface bearing on one surface of said plate, said button device including a shank extending substantially normally to the said button surface and passing through the said plate aperture, a planar element at the free end of the said shank having a surface thereto lying parallel to, and on the second side of, the said plate, the said planar element and the said plunger being interconnected by a slip type engagement of means projecting from one of said elements into the other of said elements, whereby the plunger is operatively engaged with the button device.

2. The combination in a lock structure comprising an escutcheon plate provided with an aperture therethrough, a plunger element, an operating button device including a surface bearing on one surface of said plate, said button device including a shank extending substantially normally to the said button surface and passing through the said plate aperture, a planar element at the free end of the said shank having a surface thereto lying parallel to, and on the second side of, the said plate, one of the said elements being provided with an aperture and the other said element being provided with a pin extending into and lying entirely within the element aperture, whereby the plunger is operatively engaged with the button device.

3. The combination in a lock structure comprising an escutcheon plate provided with an aperture therethrough, a plunger element having an aperture therein, an operating button device including a surface bearing on one surface of said plate, said button device including a shank extending substantially normally to the said button surface and passing through the said plate aperture, a planar element at the free end of the said shank having a surface thereto lying parallel to, and on the second side of the said plate, a pin element projecting from the planar surface and extending within the aperture in the plunger element, the pin element being retained therein solely by the relationship of the assembled elements, whereby the plunger is operatively engaged with the button.

4. The combination in a lock structure comprising an escutcheon plate provided with an aperture therethrough, a plunger element, an operating button provided with a top and a side wall, a portion of the side wall being extended, the said button being slidably disposed on the first side of the said plate with the extended portion of the side wall passing through the said aperture of the said plate, an offset flange element projecting from the extended portion of the side wall to lie parallel to, and on the second side of, the said plate, the said flange element and the said plunger element being interconnected by a slip type engagement of means projecting from one of said elements into the other of said elements, whereby the said plunger is operatively engaged with the said button and the said flange.

5. The combination in a lock structure comprising an escutcheon plate provided with an aperture therethrough, a plunger element, an operating button provided with a top and a side Wall, a portion of the side wall being extended, the said button being slidably disposed on the first side of the plate with the extended portion of the side Wall passing through the said aperture of the said plate, an offset flange element projecting from the extended portion of the side wall to lie parallel to, and on the second side of the said plate, one of the said elements being provided with an aperture and the other said element being provided with a pin inserted into and enclosed by the element aperture, whereby the said plunger element is operatively engaged with the said button and the said flange element.

6. The combination in a lock structure comprising an escutcheon plate provided with an aperture therethrough, a bolt element, and operating button provided with a top and a side Wall, a portion of the side wall being extended, the said button being slidably disposed on the first side of the said plate with the extended portion of the side wall passing through the said aperture of the said plate, an offset flange projecting from the extended portion of the sidewall to lie parallel to, and on the second side of, the said plate, a lug projecting from the said flange, an aperture in the said plunger, the said lug being inserted in and enclosed by the said aperture, whereby the said plunger is operatively engaged with the said button and the said flange.

7. The combination in a lock structure comprising an escutcheon plate provided with an aperture therethrough, a plunger element with an aperture therethrough, an operating button provided with a top and a side wall, a portion of the side wall being extended, the button being slidably disposed on the first side of the said plate with the extended portion of the side wall passing through the said aperture of the said plate, an offset flange projecting from the extended portion of the side wall to lie parallel to, and on the second side of, the said plate, between the said plunger and the said plate, whereby the said button is slidably secured to and retained by the said plate, a lug element projecting from the said flange and inserted Within the said aperture of the said plunger element, the said lug element being retained therein solely by the relationship of the assembled elements, whereby the said plunger is operatively engaged with said button and the said flange.

8. The combination in a lock structure comprising an escutcheon plate provided with an aperture therethrough, a plunger element, an operating button provided with a top and a side wall, a portion of the side wall being extended, the said button being slidably disposed on the first side of the said plate with the extended portion of the side wall passing through the said aperture of the said plate, an offset flange projecting from the extended portion of the side wall to lie parallel to, and on the second side of, the said plate, between the said plunger and the said plate, whereby the said button is slidably secured to and retained by the said plate, a straight lug projecting from the said flange, an aperture in the plunger, the said lug extending axially into the said aperture in the said plunger and enclosed thereby, whereby the said plunger is operatively engaged with the said button and the said flange.

9. In combination in a lock structure comprising a fixed escutcheon plate provided with an aperture therethrough, a plunger element lying parallel to the plate, an operating button provided with a top and side wall, a portion of the side wall being extended, the said button being slidably disposed on the first side of the said plate with the extended portion of the side wall passing through the said aperture of the said plate, an offset flange projecting from the extended portion of the side wall to lie parallel to, and on the second side of the said plate, between the said plunger and the said plate, whereby the said button is slidably secured to and retained by the said plate, a straight lug projecting from the said flange, an aperture in the said plunger, the said lug extending axially into the said aperture in said plunger and enclosed thereby, whereby the said plunger is operatively engaged with the said button and the said flange, a tongue projecting from the second side of the said plate, a casing enclosing the said plunger, an offset flange projecting from the said casing inserted through the said aperture in the said plate and lying on the first side of the said plate, another flange projecting from the said casing and lying on the second side of the said plate and secured thereto by clinching the said tongue over the last mentioned flange.

10. The combination in a lock structure comprising an escutcheon plate provided with an aperture therethrough and having an outer side and an under side, a plunger element having an aperture therein slidably disposed beneath said plate, an operating button device, said button device including a main portion slidably disposed on the upper side of said plate, said button device including a shank extending substantially normally to said plate and passing through said plate aperture, a planar element at the free end of said shank having a surface thereto lying parallel to, and on the underside of said plate, pin means projecting from the planar surface and extending within the plunger aperture, means maintaining said plunger and said planar surface in a fixed spacial relation with said plate and with each other, whereby the pin means is retained within said plunger aperture and the button is continuously engaged with the plunger element.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

